DR UK gives evidence to MPs on citizenship and civic engagement

Citizenship and Civic Engagement Committee evidence session - 1 November 2017

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Hear proceedings

Witnesses

• Mr Sean Harford, National Director, Ofsted
• Mr Scott Harrison, Association for Citizenship Teaching
• Mr Ryan Mason, Addey and Stanhope School

(at 11:30 am)

• Mr Philip Connolly, Disability Rights UK
• Ms Fazilet Hadi, Royal National Institute of Blind People
• Ms Angela Kitching, Age UK
• Mr Dan Jones, Centre for Ageing Better

Possible questions on Age and Disability

1. How would you describe the current state of civic engagement amongst older people and amongst disabled people?
2. Do you think that older people have different ideas about citizenship and why it matters than younger generations? Does being disabled change your conception of citizenship? Does age and disability have an effect on a person’s sense of belonging?
3. What are the main barriers that older people and disabled people face to taking part in volunteering?
4. There are current Government programmes aimed at boosting volunteering and civic engagement. How effective are they at reaching disabled people and older people?
5. What positive examples are there of government initiatives or third sector organizations that have succeeded in helping older people and disabled people to volunteer?
6. Do older people and disabled people feel that they have a say in how they are governed? Does decision making at a national, or local level reflect the “nothing about us, without us” ideal?
7. What are the main barriers that older people and disabled people face in taking part in the democratic process?
8. What are the positive examples of government, political parties and other bodies including older people and disabled people in the democratic process?